Make Mine Chia
I remember riding in the cab of my friend's truck in Mexico and asking about chia. She looked at me as if I were nuts. "Why would you be interested...
The Rancho Gordo Blog
You're Soaking in It!
Do you remember those old dishwashing liquid commericals with Madge the manicurist? No? I guess I'm old. But when customers would question her on how mild the detergent was, she'd...
Visiting the Mixteca Salt Mines in Zapotitlan Salinas
Last week I was in Zapotitlan Salinas in Puebla with our Xoxoc partners. We stopped to see the salt flats again and as you can see, it's really a strange,...
Requeson: Flavored Ricotta Cheese
In Mexico, fried ricotta isn't uncommon. It's very easy and dollop in a bowl of beans is very nice. You can also add it to eggs, soups or spread a...
Classic Smoked Ham Hock and Beans
A friend's daughter is involved with 4H and I offered to buy half of one of her pigs. I was not happy when I was told the head, ears and...
Lazy Boy Alubia Blancas and Clams
For me, there's no doubt that pancetta is superior to bacon in these kinds of dishes. Whole clams in the shell add a beautiful liquid to the dish and are...
Beans and Crab
Onion, garlic, chiles and olive oil, sauteed until soft. Leftover Domingo Rojo beans. A bunch of canned crab. Fresh obviously would have been better but this was pretty darn fine....
Roasted Pepper, Capers and Goat Cheese on Cracker
Sunday is my favorite day of the week. If I'm not traveling, I'm home cooking for the family and if I'm good, I'm preparing food for the week to take...
A Break from Beans and Food
I spend the good part of Friday afternoon, Friday night and then, even Saturday morning, crying. This is not something I normally do. I don't want to bring you down...
A Moment of Perfection: Sta Maria Pinquitos with Oaxacan Sausage and an Egg
This was a winner. Fatted Calf Oaxacan chorizo, stale beer and Santa Maria Pinquitos with eggs poached in the bean broth. If you want to attempt the sausage, the recipe...
Scrambled Eggs with Chaya Leaves
If you've eaten much in Mexico's Yucatan, you're probably familiar with Chaya leaves. Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is apparently very healthy but as usual, I'm more interested in the flavor. We...
(Red) Beans & Rice, California Style
I met Laurie Caird at the National Heirloom Exposition in Santa Rosa this year. She's an avid gardener and cook and was nice enough to feature us in her blog...